Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency in the health sector, announcing sweeping reforms to upgrade facilities, recruit personnel, and transform service delivery across the state.

The decision was reached at Friday’s State Executive Council (Exco) meeting in Uyo, where government approved immediate interventions to strengthen manpower, overhaul health training institutions, and expand access to healthcare.

Information Commissioner, Elder Aniekan Umanah, said 2,000 healthcare workers will be recruited under the plan, with the application process simplified by removing the voters’ card requirement. Retired professionals willing to serve will also be engaged on contract to bridge manpower gaps.

To ensure execution, an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee comprising key ministries and agencies has been set up.
“This emergency is about putting people first by ensuring accessible, efficient and reliable healthcare,” Umanah said.

The Exco also approved a ₦695 billion supplementary budget, raising the state’s 2025 budget from ₦995 billion to ₦1.65 trillion. Of this, ₦125.66 billion is for recurrent expenditure, while ₦569.33 billion is earmarked for capital projects.

According to Umanah, the funds will cover the implementation of the new minimum wage, allowances for NYSC members, flood and erosion control, completion of inflation-hit projects, and new infrastructure statewide.

Other provisions include acquisition of a new aircraft for Ibom Air, rollout of Ibom CNG Mass Transit buses, establishment of the ARISE Shopping City, construction of housing estates, renovation of the State House of Assembly, and support for the newly created Ministries of Sports, Digital Economy, and Humanitarian Services.

Allocations have also been made for the Tree Crop Revolution programme to strengthen agriculture and promote sustainable development.